CLEARWATER, Fla. — In the least surprising news of spring, the Phillies “revealed” Thursday afternoon that Cole Hamels will be the opening-day starter when they kick off 2013 in Atlanta against the Braves April 1. The Phillies’ spring-training rotation has been geared toward that occurring from the beginning of Grapefruit League play, so this doesn’t qualify as breaking news. Hamels, who signed a franchise-record, six-year, $144 million contract extension last summer, gets his first start in Game 1 of the regular season after back-to-back All-Star selections, including a 17-6, 3.05 ERA performance in 2012. Since he already had been a Game 1 starter in the National League Division and Championship Series as well as the World Series in 2008, this gives him the clean sweep.

When asked about the potential privilege in late February, Hamels regarded it as more symbolism to outsiders than anything personally rewarding.

“It’s one game, one appearance and then you’re back into the normal baseball atmosphere,” he said. “I’ve never really looked at it as this big sort of deal. I’ve always valued the playoffs.

“When you have to lead off the playoff game and a series, I think that’s pretty important. I think that’s kind of where it’s at. If you do get that honor, you just go out and stick to business and try to win a ballgame.”